Olive 8 Condominium (737 Olive Way) announced that it will auction 34 homes on Sunday, September 19th at 1 pm at the Hyatt at Olive 8 hotel (within the Olive 8 building).

The auction will be conducted by Kennedy Wilson, who previously handled auctions for the 5th & Madison Condominium, Queen Anne High School Condominium and the Press Condominium.

The 34 one- and two-bedroom homes being auctioned were previously listed between $395,000 and $1,235,000 and their starting bids will range from $160,000 to $440,000. The units are located on floors 18 through 26, and range in size from 650 square feet to 1,586 square feet.

As with the 5th & Madison auction, there is an unpublished reserve price. Therefore, the highest bidder may not necessarily be the winning bidder. Bids are subject to seller’s acceptance.

As with Kennedy Wilson’s other auctions, a “How to Buy” informational seminar will be held prior a week prior on Sunday, September 12th at 1 pm at the Hyatt at Olive 8.

Auction website: www.Olive8CondoAuction.com

Or access the auction website directly (behind the website registration wall) and download the auction brochure (pdf).

Auctions are a different beast so if you’re thinking of participating, be sure to (1) read the auction terms thoroughly (buyers do not have many of protections afforded to them as with a normal purchase transaction), (2) attend the “how to” session and/or (3) utilize the services of a buyer’s agent who can provide guidance, knowledge of auction procedures and buyer representation through the process. Note, if you tour the units on your own, you may not be eligible to your own representation if you decide to bid and purchase a unit.

Market Place North #A-2   |  2021 1st Avenue, Seattle

Live at the Pike Place Market  - unique and rarely available loft home perfectly situated at the epicenter Seattle's world famous Pike Place Market, downtown and Belltown.  This 1-bedroom flat offers over 1,300 square feet of flexible living space with 13' ceilings and a gorgeous view of Elliott Bay and Seattle sunsets.

This beautiful home has brand new bamboo floors, updated bath and kitchen with granite counters and stainless steel appliances. The large bedroom features two closets, one of which is a walk-in, and air conditioning. An in-unit washer/dryer, parking and storage complete this wonderful urban sanctuary.

With a WalkScore of 98, Market Place North is conveniently located at the Pike Place Market (fresh produce, flowers & seafood), the downtown Kress supermarket, shops, restaurants, entertainment venues and....work.

It's fantastic location makes this the perfect in-city Seattle retreat or vacation home.

Offered at $525,000    |   MLS #120335

Ben Kakimoto & Barb Andersen,  John L. Scott Real Estate

Harbour Heights Condo - Belltown district

2621 2nd Avenue #1003, Seattle, WA

Beautiful Northeast corner home blends urban with traditional. This large 10th floor condo offers a graceful yet flexible floor plan with views of the Space Needle, the Olympics and Queen Anne. Entertain in the spacious living room and adjacent dining room. Easily enclose the 2nd bedroom for added privacy.

The updated kitchen features custom alder cabinets, island range & hood and slab granite counters. Wake up to a view of the Space Needle from the over-sized bedroom. The home features 1.5 baths and a large laundry/utility room.

The Harbour Heights amenities include a fitness room, outdoor pool, spa, saunas, a community room and a fantastic green roof deck offering spectacular 360 degree views Puget Sound, the Olympics, Mt. Rainier and downtown.

With a Walk Score of 92, Harbour Heights is conveniently located close to the Olympic Sculpture Park, Pike Place Market and the Seattle Center.

Offered at $369,950    ---  Just reduced $25,000!

Ben Kakimoto & Barb Andersen,  Keller Williams Greater Seattle

This property has sold!

The Marq Condomium ::  Capitol Hill, Seattle

103 Bellevue Avenue #407

Bright, sunlit 2-bedroom SE corner unit with downtown cityscape views. Entertain guests as you prepare a meal from the chic kitchen featuring granite tile counters & stainless appliances. Or enjoy a grilled dinner on the landscaped courtyard, perfect on a warm summer evening.

The master bedroom has bumped out windows and his and her closets. Other amenities include an in-unit washer/dryer, garage parking with ample room for bikes and an extra storage unit. The Marq is BUILT SMART certified.

Located on Capitol Hill, the Marq is conveniently situated between downtown and the hip Broadway & Pike/Pike districts, the new light-rail & street car station, coffee shops, cafes and nightlife.

Offered at $308,700  -  REDUCED!

View more information and photographs

Ben Kakimoto
John L. Scott Real Estate

This property is no longer for sale

Epic Condominium ::  412 11th Avenue #407, Seattle, WA

First Hill near Seattle University

Stylish in-city living on First Hill. Spacious 2-bedroom, 2-bath SE corner unit is bathed in sunlight with sweeping Mt. Rainier & territorial city views from the open living space.

This upscale home features granite countertops with stainless blacksplash, stainless steel appliances, in-suite washer & dryer, a private deck and 2-parking spaces. The master bedroom features an en-suite bath and a walk-in closet.

The Epic amenities include a fitness center, media & business rooms, and a great outdoor BBQ patio. Live close to work & play. The Epic is centrally located to Seattle University, downtown, Capitol Hill, International District, recreation, I-5 and I-90 and is blocks from the proposed street car expansion line.

Offered at $329,900

View more information and photographs

Ben Kakimoto
John L. Scott Real Estate

The Fleur de Lis Condominium  ::  1114 12th Avenue #204, Seattle

Capitol Hill at 17th Avenue & Spring Street

Classically beautiful, this elegant French Provencial inspired Fleur De Lis beckons you home.The large one-bedroom corner home exudes its vintage 1927 character with original hardwood floors, leaded glass windows, coved ceilings, archways & rich period details.

This home features a spacious living room, a large bedroom, gorgeous built-ins with window seats, abundant closets and a charming kitchen with its original cabinetry, accents and ice box.

Natural gas heated central boiler provides radiant heat for those cool winter nights while large windows let in a pleasant breeze on warm summer evenings. Fleur De Lis is a small community of 16 homes and 8 garage spaces, with parking available by wait list at just $75 per month.

Other amenities include gardens and an on-site laundry room. Located just off Capitol Hill’s vibrant Pike/Pine district, you’re close to restaurants, cafes, shops, pubs, art galleries, theatre venues, grocery & transportation. There’s easy access to downtown and to I-5 and I-90.

Offered at: $289,000

Ben Kakimoto

John L. Scott Real Estate

Trace Lofts - 1408 12th Avenue #308, Seattle, WA

Originally built in 1919, the Trace building was converted into condominiums in 2007 and renamed Trace Lofts.  Thoughout its lifespan, Trace has been eye-witness to the changing times, itself morphing and adapting.  It has been home to an automotive warehouse, an athletic equipment manufacturing company, home to Tibetan monks, a Bekin's storage facility and a dance studio. 

Now, you can call it home.

Hip and urban open one-bedroom loft in the heart of the Pike/Pine neighborhood.

This inviting home features large South facing windows, with views of Mt. Rainier, creating a light-filled, warm interior that’s accented with exposed brick walls, timber ceiling & reclaimed Douglas Fir floors. The richly appointed modern kitchen features mahogany-stained oak cabinets & Inca Basalt tiled countertops and is equipped with stainless appliances including a gas range. The home’s industrial loft character includes high ceilings with exposed duct work and piping.

Trace Lofts is in the center of the revitalized Pike/Pine triangle and is close to everything – entertainment, nightlife, shops, cafes and bistros.

Offered at: $239,000

Ben Kakimoto

John L. Scott Real Estate

Following on the footsteps of the successful Belltown condo open house event a couple of weeks ago, a similar event is taking place on Sunday 2/14 in downtown from 1 – 4 pm.

The tour covers over 15 units in 10 buildings – Continental Place, Market Court, One Pacific Tower, Newmark Tower, 98 Union, Colonial Grand Pacific, Watermark Tower, Waterfront Place, Royal Crest and Olive 8.

Additionally, I’ll be hosting an open house at Cristalla (2nd & Lenora) from 1-4 pm as well.

Click on image to download the map (PDF):

The following are upcoming land use review board meetings of new residential projects in the Seattle core districts, either planned as apartments or condos. Where applicable, I've noted existing condominiums located in the vicinity of the proposed structures.

2030 8th Avenue. 38-story 350-unit residential tower proposed in the Denny Triangle area. Located at 8th and Lenora, the building would be situated NW of the Cosmopolitan and SW of the 2200.

    Design Review Early Design Guidance Meeting
    February 9, 2010 at 5:30 PM
    Seattle City Hall
    Download the design proposal workbook (12 MB PDF)

2nd & Pike Tower (1430 2nd Ave). 35-story residential tower at the SE corner of 2nd & Pike. At one point the project was to include a hotel, Candela, which has since been removed from the proposal. The project is situated on the SE corner of the intersection, across from the Newmark Tower.

    Design Review Second Early Design Guidance Meeting
    February 9, 2010 at 7:00 PM
    Seattle City Hall
    Download the design proposal workbook (7MB PDF)

1200 Stewart. Twin 35-story towers proposed at the corner of Denny and Stewart to contain residential, hotel and retail space.

    Design Review Board Meeting
    February 23, 2010 at 5:30 pm
    Seattle City Hall

151 John Street. This is a 7-story residential building proposed at the corner of John Street and Warren Avenue next to the Seattle Center. This the lot adjacent to the north of Queen Court.

    Design Review Board Meeting
    March 3, 2010 at 6:30 PM
    Queen Anne Community Center

3031 Western Ave. This is Martin Selig's 14-story 78-unit apartment proposal that's situated at the north end of the Olympic Sculpture Park and west of the Alexandria.

    Design Review Board Meeting
    March 9, 2010 at 5:30 pm
    Seattle City Hall

Here are some interesting condo statistics gleaned from the NWMLS’ 2009 Statistical Review and Highlights report. The NWMLS region covers 21 counties, mostly in western Washington.

• More than 52,000 closed residential sales in 2009 accounting for more than $17 billions in total sales volume, of which 6,800 were condos valued at $1.9 billion in sales.

• King County realized just over 20,200 residential sales valued at $8.6 billion, of which 4,191 were condos (down 18.8% from 2008) with a value of $1.3 billion.

• Only 43% of King County condo sales were located in Seattle.
  

• There were 1,793 condo sales in Seattle (down 15.5% from 2008) valued at $645 million. Condos accounted for 25% of all residential sales in Seattle.

• There were 802 sales of single family homes and 66 sales of condos priced $1 million or greater in 2009. Bellevue had the highest number of $1+ million sales overall, though Seattle accounted for 67% of all $1+ million condo sales (44 units).

• In Seattle, 56% of condo sales were priced under $300,000, 11% were priced above $500,000 and only 2.5% were $1 million or greater. For comparison, in 2008 46% of condo sales were priced under $300,000, 15% were priced above $500,000 and 3.2% were $1 million or greater.

• The median condo price in King County was $255,000; Seattle’s median condo price was $279,000.

Note: The NWMLS database and statistics do not include many new construction pre-sale units, private sales or auction sales.

Source: Data was obtained from the NWMLS press release and 2009 Statistical Review and Highlights report, with the exception of the Seattle statistics, which were compiled independently.  Some figures were rounded.